FROGS mark their tenth anniversary

FROGS Trustees and supporters raised a glass at their AGM on 9th November to celebrate 10 years encouraging the use and development of Frome’s open spaces.

Two of the founder members – Jacqueline Peverley and Cath Haines – were at this year’s AGM; Jacqueline remains very interested in FROGS and Cath is the treasurer.

FROGS’ biggest project was getting lottery funding for the cycle pump track, and sandpit and play tower at Welshmill. This led to further funding to encourage wider community use of the area, and they were able to run a circus day, story-telling, wildlife roadshow, forest school sessions, birdbox building, and bike activities, all in conjunction with other local groups and individuals.

In 2011 FROGS applied for village green status for the Old Showfield and this ultimately led, in 2015, to the Frome Town Council acquiring this major open space for the benefit of the town. The organisation hopes to be involved in planning future improvements to the Showfield.

Over the years FROGS have led or fed into consultations that resulted in improvements at Victoria Park, the Mary Bailey Field, Egford play park, Welshmill Greenway and the Dippy. They have identified a number of hidden spaces in Frome and provided information on them to the town council and Save Our Spaces.

FROGS member Veryan Conn has produced leaflets depicting local walks and she and Liz Hutchinson have organised a series of wildlife walks led by local experts, which it is hoped will be repeated in 2016.

Another project will be to identify ways to increase the number of seats in our parks and open spaces – please let FROGS know via the website of any spots in the town you think could benefit from a bench or seat. www.fromefrogs.org.uk